What is the biggest mistake when negotiating salary at a new job?

Revealing your current salary before the employer has made an offer. This allows the employer to anchor on your existing pay level rather than the market rate for the new role. Always ask the employer to state their budget range first.

How much salary increase should I aim for when changing jobs?

The typical range is 15-25% above your current salary when changing employers. This is significantly above the annual review increase of 2-5%. If the new role involves significantly more responsibility, aim for the top of this range.

Should I accept the first offer at a new job?

Almost never. Most Danish employers build a negotiating margin of 5-10% into their initial offer. Politely stating that you had a slightly higher figure in mind - backed by market data - is expected and accepted in most Danish hiring processes.

Guide

Negotiating Salary at a New Job: 7 Mistakes to Avoid

Last updated: 15-05-2026

Changing jobs is the most important salary negotiation moment in your working life. When negotiating internally you might get 3-8%. When changing jobs you can negotiate a 15-30% increase. But this is also where most people fail. Not because they do something obviously wrong, but because of one or two classic mistakes - each costing tens of thousands of DKK per year.

The 7 Mistakes

Mistake 1: You Reveal Your Current Salary Too Early

If you answer honestly, you set the anchor. Employers typically offer 10-15% above your current salary - regardless of what the market says your profile is worth.

How to handle it: "I focus on the market rate for the role, not my current compensation. What have you budgeted for the position?"

Mistake 2: You Start Negotiating Only After the Written Offer

The negotiation starts in the second or third interview when they ask about your expectations - before they have agreed on a number internally. When the written offer arrives, it should not surprise you.

Mistake 3: You Only Focus on Base Salary

The total compensation package includes pension (can be negotiated up to 15-18%), bonus, shares, training budget (15,000-50,000 kr./year), extra vacation, flexibility, and health insurance. Bring 5-6 topics to trade against each other.

Mistake 4: You Accept the First Offer

The first offer is never the best offer. The employer has typically built in a 5-10% buffer.

How to handle it: "Thank you for the offer. I would like to sleep on it. Can I get back to you by [date]?"

Mistake 5: You Negotiate Without Data

"I think 65,000 kr. sounds fair" is weak. "According to LønRadar, the median for [role] in [region] is X kr. and the 75th percentile is Y kr. My request reflects market level" is strong. Spend 30 minutes on LønRadar before your first interview.

Mistake 6: You Undersell Yourself Out of Nervousness

Every sentence that undermines your position costs you money. "I think 60,000 kr. sounds fine, but I am not sure if that is too much..." Don't do it.

How to handle it: "My salary expectation is 65,000 kr. per month incl. pension." Say it, then stop talking.

Mistake 7: You Decide Too Quickly

You receive an offer. Better than expected. You accept on the spot. Mistake. Accepting a job offer is one of the biggest financial decisions you make.

How to handle it: "Thank you for the offer - it is one I am very interested in. May I come back with a final answer within a couple of days?"

Find Your Actual Market Rate Before Your Next Negotiation

LønRadar gives you the median, 25th and 75th percentile for your role, region, and experience level - based on verified pay stubs from Danish IT professionals.

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